2019 First in Family Program

June 26, 2019 by Katie Santore Event, Past 0 comments

Costa Mesa, CA — On June 7, 2019 the SOS First in Family College Readiness Program celebrated the achievements of 8 low-income first-generation high school seniors with a special event held at the SOS Community Health Center. The program prepares students for success in college by supplying them with laptop computers, dorm room essentials, money for textbooks, and case management support through their first year of college. SOS also helped participants select new professional attire outfits for a school presentation that they can use for job interviews and other formal occasions in the future. By working with their college guidance counselors, SOS is also ensuring that they will have the support they need once in college.

Participants in this year’s project were high school seniors from Newport Harbor High School, Costa Mesa High School, Foothill High School and Estancia High School. Each student was recommended to SOS by an advocate at their school because of their determination to overcome difficult circumstances to succeed. They also submitted an application and wrote a personal statement describing why they should be considered for this project, as well as confirmed their attendance at a college or university in the fall.

All the participants will either be the first in their family to attend college, or part of the first generation in their family to do so. Some of the schools they will be attending are the University of California, Irvine; California State University, Fullerton; Saddleback College; California State University, Bakersfield; and Orange Coast College. Here are a few of their stories (we have changed their names to protect their identities):

Jane

Jane’s motivation for performing well in school arose when she came to the United States. She is constantly trying to push herself and try new things because she wants her family back in Mexico to be proud of her. She realized that higher education would open more doors for her. She paved her way to college with great grades and perseverance. She learned English in a record time and became involved in helping other students in the ELD program. Although she wanted to follow in her family’s footsteps of education and medicine, she wants to pursue her passion of performing. Her peers and teachers are very proud of her and know that her natural leadership will allow her to accomplish anything she sets her mind to, and she believes that with hard work and her motivation, she will truly get a chance to shine.

Mary

Besides her parents, Mary’s inspiration for attending college is her fourth-grade teacher, who shared stories about her college experience and showed Mary what she could accomplish if she followed her heart. Mary has demonstrated her ability to be a dedicated student by the amount of work she has taken on. From competing on both the soccer and volleyball teams to keeping up with demanding courses such as AP Calculus, she has shown her peers and teachers that she is more than prepared for college. She plans to pursue a business degree at the University of California, Irvine. She is self-motivated and hopes to make her parents –who sacrificed their education for her well-being – proud.

Jason

Jason has a passion for helping others. As a young boy he was raised in another country and moving back to the United States, his country of origin, was a difficult task. He thanks his counselors and teachers who taught how this new world worked and the English language. His passion for helping others expanded when he was helped by his counselors to learn English and reach his goals. His new goal became attending college to be a counselor and help students transition from high school to college, as his counselors and teachers have helped him. His leadership skills and school involvement have allowed him to move forward through high school successfully. His counselors and teachers describe him as a natural leader and supportive team player. He is motivated to be the first person in his family to graduate from college and give back in the way that his counselors did for him.

The students and their invited guests gathered at SOS in Costa Mesa on Friday afternoon to celebrate their acceptance into the SOS First in Family College Readiness Program and accept their college supplies. Each student received a laptop computer and a $100 gift card for Amazon for textbooks. Student attending a community college got a backpack filled with school supplies, while those who will be living on campus got luggage with dorm supplies including hangers, towels, sheets and a hygiene kit. As a special surprise, SOS procured a sweatshirt for each student from their college or university. Many of the schools donated these items for the students.

Speakers at the event on Friday included community facilitator Maria Barragan from Estancia High School, who spoke about the school’s senior project and the history of the collaboration with SOS; SOS Director of Social Services Michael McGlinn; a student panel featuring past program participants; and the keynote speaker, Megan Lattimer, who spoke about her experiences helping those in need at the OCC food pantry. The event included dinner and cake for the participants and their families.

This project would not have been possible without the generous support of our community. Their kind donations of funds, college supplies and hygiene items allowed SOS to provide each student with a wonderful care package that will make the transition to college as effortless as possible.